North Italia Garlic Bread Recipe

If you’ve ever dined at North Italia and found yourself dreaming about their legendary garlic bread, you’re not alone. This copycat North Italia garlic bread recipe brings that upscale Italian restaurant experience right into your kitchen.

Featuring cubed artisan bread tossed in white truffle butter, topped with melted mozzarella and creamy ricotta, this isn’t your average garlic breadit’s an indulgent appetizer that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or craving restaurant-quality comfort food, this north italia garlic bread delivers impressive flavors with North Italia Italian Farm Salad and surprisingly simple techniques.

What Does North Italia Garlic Bread Taste Like?

The north italia garlic bread recipe creates a luxurious flavor experience that’s rich, garlicky, and utterly addictive. The white truffle oil provides an earthy, aromatic sophistication that elevates ordinary garlic bread into gourmet territory.

Each bite offers a textural contrast crispy, golden edges give way to soft, pillowy centers soaked in truffle butter. The melted mozzarella adds stretchy, savory richness, while dollops of creamy ricotta provide cooling contrast.

Fresh herbs brighten the dish, and the grated Grana Padano brings a nutty, salty finish that ties everything together beautifully.

North Italia Garlic Bread Recipe Ingredients

For the Truffle Garlic Bread:

• 8 ounces bakery-quality white bread, cut into 1-½-inch cubes
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ounces white truffle butter, melted
• 1 to 2 teaspoons white truffle oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 garlic cloves, fresh
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• ⅓ cup ricotta cheese, at room temperature
• Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese, for grating
• 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, cut into chiffonade

Kitchen Utensils

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Microplane grater
• Large baking sheet
• 8-inch cast-iron skillet (or oven-safe baking dish)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or spoon for combining

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 20-22 minutes
• Servings: 4-6 people

North Italia Garlic Bread Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Truffle Garlic Oil: In a small bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, melted white truffle butter, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of white truffle oil, stirring thoroughly to blend. Using a microplane grater, grate the fresh garlic cloves directly into the oil mixture, then stir again to distribute the garlic evenly throughout.

Step 3: Coat the Bread: Drizzle the truffle garlic oil mixture over the bread cubes, tossing gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is well-coated. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, toss once more, then spread the bread cubes in a single, even layer on a large baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden: Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, watching carefully until the bread cubes develop golden-brown edges while remaining soft and tender in the center. Remove from the oven.

Step 5: Prepare for Broiling: Switch your oven setting to high broil. Transfer the toasted bread cubes to an 8-inch cast-iron skillet or other oven-safe baking dish, mounding them slightly. Tuck the fresh mozzarella cubes around and between the bread pieces.

Step 6: Broil to Perfection: Place the skillet under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, keeping a close watch, until the mozzarella has melted completely and begins developing light golden-brown spots.

Step 7: Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven immediately. Using a microplane, grate a generous amount of Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese over the entire dish. Add dollops of room-temperature ricotta cheese, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and basil chiffonade, then finish with a generous drizzle of white truffle oil. Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.

Customization and Pairing Ideas for Your North Italia Garlic Bread

1. Bread Variations: While this copycat north italia garlic bread recipe calls for white bread, sourdough cubes add tangy complexity, ciabatta provides extra airiness, or focaccia brings herbaceous notes. Day-old bread actually works better as it absorbs the truffle butter without becoming soggy.

2. Cheese Combinations: Experiment beyond mozzarella try fontina for nuttiness, burrata for extra creaminess, or provolone for sharper flavor. Mix ricotta with mascarpone for an even more luxurious finish, or substitute goat cheese for tangy contrast.

3. Truffle Alternatives: If white truffle products aren’t available, black truffle butter and oil work beautifully with a slightly more robust, earthy flavor. For budget-friendly options, increase the garlic and add mushroom powder to mimic truffle’s umami depth.

4. Herb Enhancements: Beyond basil and parsley, try adding fresh thyme, oregano, or chives. Rosemary pairs wonderfully with truffle flavors, while a pinch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat that complements the richness.

5. Wine Pairings: Serve this north italia garlic bread alongside crisp Italian white wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino, which cut through the richness. For reds, choose lighter options like Chianti or Barbera that won’t overpower the delicate truffle notes.

6. Dipping Sauce Ideas: While delicious alone, offer balsamic reduction, marinara sauce, or garlic aioli on the side for variety. A simple olive oil and aged balsamic dip complements without competing with the truffle flavors.

7. Menu Integration: This makes an exceptional appetizer before pasta dishes, pairs beautifully with Italian soups like minestrone or tomato bisque, and works wonderfully alongside charcuterie boards or caprese salads for a complete Italian-inspired spread.

Bonus Serving Tips: Enjoy North Italia Garlic Bread with Raising Cane’s Honey Mustard Sauce and LongHorn Steakhouse Potato Soup for a flavorful appetizer combination.

Expert Tips for Perfect North Italia Garlic Bread

1. Choose Quality Bread: The foundation of this copycat north italia garlic bread recipe is excellent bread. Visit a bakery for artisan loaves with good structure and flavor avoid pre-sliced sandwich bread, which becomes too crispy. Look for bread with an open, airy crumb that can absorb the truffle butter while maintaining texture.

2. Temperature Matters for Cheese: Bring ricotta to room temperature before serving cold ricotta won’t spread nicely and creates an unpleasant temperature contrast. Fresh mozzarella should also be slightly cool but not refrigerator-cold, helping it melt evenly without releasing excess moisture.

3. Don’t Skimp on Truffle Oil: Quality white truffle oil makes or breaks this dish. Invest in a reputable brand with real truffle essence rather than synthetic flavoring. A little goes a long way start conservatively during mixing, then add that final generous drizzle for maximum aroma when serving.

4. Master the Broiler: Broilers vary significantly in intensity, so watch your north italia garlic bread constantly during the final step. Position the rack 6-8 inches from the heat source. The cheese should melt and bubble with slight browning any longer risks burning the bread edges.

5. Cube Size Consistency: Cut bread into uniform 1-1/2-inch cubes for even cooking. Smaller pieces become too crispy, while larger chunks won’t absorb enough truffle butter and may have raw centers. Consistency ensures every bite has that perfect crispy-soft contrast.

6. Fresh Garlic Technique: Grating garlic with a microplane rather than mincing distributes flavor more evenly and creates a smoother texture in the oil mixture. This prevents biting into harsh garlic chunks while ensuring every bread cube carries that essential garlic essence throughout.

7. Timing is Everything: This dish must go from oven to table immediately. The contrast between crispy bread, melted cheese, and cool ricotta is best within the first few minutes. Prepare all garnishes beforehand so you can assemble and serve without delay once it comes out of the broiler.

Storage and Reheating Guidance

This north italia garlic bread tastes best fresh from the oven. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness avoid microwaving, which makes the bread soggy and rubbery.

Common Queries and FAQs

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the North Italia Garlic Bread Recipe that people often ask.

Can I make this copycat north italia garlic bread recipe without truffle products?

Yes, though the truffle flavor is signature to the dish. Substitute with regular butter, increase the garlic to 3-4 cloves, and add 1/4 teaspoon of mushroom powder for earthy depth. The result won’t be identical but will still be delicious garlic bread.

What type of bread works best for north italia garlic bread?

Use artisan white bread, Italian bread, or French bread from a bakery. The bread should have a sturdy crust and soft interior. Sourdough, ciabatta, and focaccia all work excellently. Avoid soft sandwich bread, which becomes too crispy without the desired soft center.

Can I prepare the bread cubes in advance?

You can cut the bread and prepare the truffle oil mixture a few hours ahead, but don’t toss them together until just before baking. Once coated and baked, the bread is best served immediately for optimal texture and temperature contrast.

Where can I buy white truffle butter and oil?

Specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, or gourmet markets carry truffle products. Online retailers like Amazon, D’Artagnan, and Urbani Truffles offer quality options. Look for products with real truffle pieces listed in the ingredients.

Can I use a regular baking dish instead of cast iron?

Absolutely. Any oven-safe dish works ceramic, stoneware, or metal baking pans all function well. Cast iron retains heat beautifully and creates excellent presentation, but isn’t essential. Just ensure whatever you use can withstand high broiler temperatures.

How do I prevent the bread from becoming too hard?

The key is timing bake just until edges turn golden while centers remain soft, typically 6-8 minutes. Don’t overbake in the initial step. The broiling phase should be brief (3-4 minutes) focused on melting cheese rather than further crisping the bread.

What can I serve with this garlic bread?

This north italia garlic bread pairs wonderfully with Italian pasta dishes, serves as an appetizer before main courses, or complements salads. It’s rich enough to be the star alongside a simple arugula salad, or works as part of an antipasto spread with cured meats and marinated vegetables.

This copycat north italia garlic bread recipe transforms simple ingredients into an impressive, restaurant-worthy appetizer that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

The combination of truffle-infused bread, melted cheeses, and fresh herbs creates layers of flavor and texture that elevate any meal. Whether you’re recreating a favorite restaurant memory or discovering this indulgent dish for the first time, this recipe proves that upscale Italian flavors are absolutely achievable at home. Give it a try, and you might find yourself making this north italia garlic bread for every gathering!

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